Aontacht•• ISSN 2044-1339 Volume 3, Issue 4 Aontacht

Volume 3 Issue 4| Spring/Autumn Equinox 2011 creating unity in community

Brought to you by Druidic Dawn (www.druidicdawn.org) Aontacht • 1 aontacht Volume 3, Issue 4

creating unity in community

INTERVIEW BARDIC WHISPERS 9 Shakti Genaine 24 Return of the Dawn Renard 25 Meeting Caroline Mulcahy 26 To Be Caroline Mulcahy FEATURES REVIEWS 18 Hiraeth 34 WANDLORE Deb Lewis Dafydd Monks

28 Time of Calling 35 Celtic Warriors Lea Taylor Cuardai

32 Daily Practice 36 A Practical Guide to Donata Aherns Witchcraft and Magick Spells Druid3x3 THE WILD EARTH DEPARTMENTS 22 My Experience with a Hump Back Whale Justin Teague 3 Aontacht Contributors From the Community

6 From The Desk...... THE FORMULARY Letter from the Aontacht Production Team 29 Spicy Black Eye Beans with Mushrooms Gillian Monks 7 Keeping Up With the Management Team 30 Molasses Cookies Latest news and updates at Aunt Hannah Croft Druidic Dawn

31 Ban Bannock 39 Community Events Calendar Deb Lewis Find gatherings and rituals near you

44 Coming Next Issue A peek at the succeeding issue and our submission guidelines

Cover photo: “Aine4” by nikkirtw123 on Photobucket.com

Aontacht • 2 Volume 3, Issue 4 aontacht Contributors creating unity in community

is a trained artist, Psychosynthesis therapist and Spring/Autumn Equinox 2011 OBOD Druid. For the last 25 years she has been directly learning about Gaia, and finding ways to live in a re- Editor spectful way that honors the Earth Mother. She and a Interim Nigel Daily Co-Editor dedicated band of Druid Land Stewards are based on a Richard Fox 108 acre mountain woodland retreat near Catalonia, Druidic Dawn Rep. Spain. Neo-Druids? Gaian Druids? Children of the Nigel Dailey Planet Earth? Find out in our in-depth interview with Publisher Shakti Genaine, the . Druidic Dawn, CIC Graphic Designer Donald Drake Feature Editor - Recipes Justin Teague My Irish surname came to Aust- Faye Boyd ralia three generations ago. It means poet or bard, Feature Editor - Poetry which in a Celtic culture with a spoken history Sarah Ward (Heddwen) would have made us historians, folk singers and fine Layout Design boozing yarners. A brief yet life-changing encounter Aestas Designs with a Hump Back Whale has brought out this (aestas.dieromantic.com) literary part of me. 25 of my 37 years being a surfer has gripped me with a love of nature which has General Inquiries circumvently led me to stand as a Green in the 2006 Victorian State All questions, comments and election. I am currently pursuing a more rewarding and beneficial venture etcetera can be sent to the fol- in setting up a community garden in my home town. I've recently lowing address: become a high school and English language teacher. My students will have [email protected] dirt under their finger nails and free thinking minds. Advertising At the moment we are not offering ad space. However, is a 52 year old Pagan woman this is subject to change. following a Celtic Reconstructionist path. I live on Maui, Hawaii and attend school full time Aontacht is published four times a year by Druidic Dawn, CIC. (online) to finish my Liberal Art/History degree. Aontacht, Volume 3, Issue 4 © I plan on continuing my Celtic studies, and will 2010 Druidic Dawn, all rights re- be taking a Celtic Archaeology course in Ireland served. All contained content is this coming August. I am a fledgling free lance copyright to its respective own- ers, including art and photos. The writer who has had short stories and poetry contents of this publication may published, no novels published yet. not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the copyright owner. lives in the Nantlle Valley, in Gwynedd, Environmental Benefits North Wales. She is a Quaker, Theosophist, practicing Statement Holistic Aromatherapist and the Grove Mother of Aontacht magazine is only . Gillian also regularly runs a series of available online as a free .pdf workshops called Earthwalking from her home about download; thereby saving trees, water, solid waste and practical Celtic spirituality for everyday life. greenhouse gases. It is de- signed on an Energy Star rated computer.

Opinions and views expressed are not necessarily those of the editors, publisher or staff.

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Editorial Notes

Contributors You do not have to be a mem- ber of the Druidic Dawn com- has a great love of munity to submit to the nature and meditation, and lives in Y Drenewydd newsletter. in Cymru, in the beautiful Welsh mountains. Loves to explore and be in sacred places, where Please submit contributions one can worship and undertake the magic art of directly to the editorial staff healing. My artist name is Templetree, named for via email to: her passion for conveying the truth of the trees [email protected] being a prayerful, active contributor to organising sacred gatherings for years. Presently runs the Refer to the last page of this record label Great Oak, with a mission to create a sustainable green Celtica, issue for writer’s guidelines filled with Great Oaks and High Consciousness. before you submit inquiries or contributions.

Below are our upcoming issues. Be sure to specify to Richard Fox (Renard) is an earth magick which you are submitting. practitioner, fire Druid and a warrior poet who lived mostly outdoors in the forests of the U.S. for more than 18 years. During that time he planted more than 700,000 trees and supervised Volume 4, Issue 1, the planting of more than 26,000,000 additional trees. Today he works with Native Americans Deadline May 15, 2011 from 14 tribes on major renewable energy projects, including solar heating and electric Modern Celts and Druids and wind turbines with a base among the have a special relationship with the earth, or its Greek Lakota on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations in South Dakota. counterpart Gaia, no matter where we are located in the world, albeit the North or Southern Hemisphere. What (CalonDdraig). Dafydd lives in makes your relationship to the earth so special and Gwynedd, North Wales. He is a student of Herbal what teaching can be drawn Medicine and has a strong interest in the Welsh from her? language, the Welsh tradition of Druidry, and their . place in the 21st century. Volume 4, Issue 2 “Magick of Druidism” Deadline August 15, 2011

All Celts and Druids had Maya St. Clair (Cuardai) resides in Kuwait, is an the ability to undertake Irish Polytheist, and a mechanical engineer with a Magick, be it privately or love of history, mythology and culture. She is editor publicly. How does magick of the Oran Mor, the official newsletter of the New play a part in the Modern Celtic and Druid practice? Order of Druids. She also serves on their Council. What magick does it hold Maya is an Irish Gaelic student and regularly writes a and how is it expressed in wide variety of articles and book reviews on Celtic and religious topics. your particular practice? Are there specific forms of magick which can be shared? Aontacht • 4 Volume 3, Issue 4 Contributors Deb is originally from The Aontacht team is looking Nova Scotia, Canada and has lived in the for a new editor, to collect and Northwest of England since 2005. Currently edit material for the magazine, studying the Ovatic path of Druidry with the help with issue production and Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, Deb also works help lead the dynamic team that as a medical laboratory assistant with the NHS. brings Aontacht to the internet Druid and Pagan community. If Wife to Christopher Lewis and mother to preco- you feel that you can spare some cious, nearly four year old Felicity, her other great time to help us, or if you would joys include writing, online shopping, baking and like more information; Email: ceaselessly reading fiction.

[email protected]

www.Donata.ChrysalisHeartCenter.com is a HPS in the Alexandrian and Gardnerian Traditions of Wicca, and a Druid Companion in OBOD. She is The "Wild Earth" Feature Editor an apprenticed shaman in the Huichol and Inka will manage our newest lineages of Alberto Villoldo, Don Juan, Don Jose forthcoming feature on "Wild Matsua, and Dona Josefa, and is a priestess of the Earth". MayanTempleof the Deer. She is currently in a program on advanced shamanic healing. She is a This position would entail member of the American Dowsers Society and a writing a short, succinct and Reiki Master. She is a member of the Grey relevant piece on any number of topics related to the Earth for Council and faculty of the Grey School of Wizardry and is a contributor to each issue. We are looking for Oberon Zell-Ravenheart’s “ Donata diversity of experience and has presented workshops since 1990 at several Pagan Festivals in U.S.and understanding, as well as a clear Canada, and was the key note speaker at Druidcon ’05 in Glasgow. She is writing style that is both author of The Medicine Wheel: Path of the Heart and is working on Sacred intelligent and practical. It is possible that if the individual is Energy Within and Without. unable or uncomfortable with writing regularly, instead he or she may procure an appropriate submission on an eco-related I am a Pacific West Coast Druid who makes a theme each issue. living working as a Gardener/Landscaping to support himself while Reading and Writing about Druidry. I The Production Team is flexible am a member of The Druid Network and the Druids and interested in working with of Albion. I am a Dedicant to "Bobcat" Emma Restall the Feature Editor in developing the "Wild Earth" feature into Orr as she is someone who is Wise, Knowledgeable something fresh and unique. and Peaceful and it is her Example that I am trying to follow. I used to be Atheist until 10th of June 2000 For more details on the "Wild when I discovered how Trees, Plants and Herbs were the Closest Earth" Feature Editor position Surviving Lifeforms to Hiroshima's Ground Zero when I was and what it involves, please touring around that City. contact us at the email below. [email protected]

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From the Desk ... Letter from the Aontacht Production Team

This issue's theme is “Hiraeth” which deals with the within and feel the longing there. Hiraeth is one of desire of belonging, homeland, and re-union. In Welsh, the most powerful forces on this planet and is behind it describes a homesickness tinged with grief or sadness much of the increasing interest in Druidism and earth over the lost or departed. It is a mix of longing, based spiritual paths. yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness, and the earnest desire for the Wales of the past. Within this issue of Aontacht, you will feel this yearning in the work of Shakti and her cohort as they But it is also in all of us, we live develop a sustainable sanctuary where respect and honoring the earth is at the core of everything they do. You'll feel it in the story by Justin Teague as he shares with us his visit with another thinking mammal - a hump back whale. It is also there in our poems and particularly in our recipes that take you back to a deep Longing can be expressed in our social customs in feeling of home and belonging. many forms. For example, we often see it with our own children. When a child reaches a certain level of Speaking of Aontacht, we are pleased to have development, they begin to separate themselves from join us as our new their parents, showing off their own individuality. Yet . Sarah is a wonderful Pagan Priestess who lives oftentimes, once their sovereignty is established, they up in the mountains of Mid Wales. She practices a long to reconnect with their parents, in a new and personal earth based spirituality and enjoys poetry, different way and level of relationship writing, mask making, belly dancing and walking in the sacred landscape. So it is with our planetary Mother - Gaia. As a species we grew up within her depths and ancient plans. Enjoy it all and remember to thank your Mother And yet at some point in our evolution, we created a every day for your very existence. Gratitude Rocks! sense of separation between us and her and went from being an animal and became humankind. We created our own individuality to varying degrees, though that varies within different cultures around the world. Co-editor Today though, we see a rising longing and desire to Aontacht Magazine be reconnected with our Mother Gaia, in a new and different way and level of relationship as we seek .

- Explore it in this issue of Aontacht, but also within yourself. We all have the power to look

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Keeping Up With the Project Team

Welcome to Spring & Autumn of 2011. A lot has been happening at Druidic Dawn, and we like to keep our readers updated on what's going on.

What’s Happening on the DD Website Druidic Dawn working in the Community

Welcome to the second solar quarter of 2011, and Who says DruidicDawn.org isn’t international, even what an amazing few weeks we’ve had, with new world wide!! content being added from all over the world. Have a look and see what’s new on-line, and unique at At the beginning of the last quarter Astrocelt (aka DruidicDawn.org DruidicDawn.org admin) was visiting the Melbourne Grove in Victoria, Australia, all the way Professor Ronald Hutton video lecture: from North Wales. Not only did Astrocelt manage to enjoy the sunny weather and beautiful It’s our pleasure to present an on-line video of a countryside, but busied himself shooting a superb and insightful lecture from Professor Ronald marvelous video which is a short introduction to Hutton, who is very respected within Druid circles, Druidry in Australia. The video illustrates that and it's available to all members of where we’re join together in Druidry, we are also DruidicDawn.org. unique in our practices, illustrating the diversity that exists between the Southern & Northern Watching the Druid Network Conference 2010: hemispheres.

The inaugural Druid Network Conference was held Time to book this into your calendar now before it’s in November 2010, with a great variety of too late: presentations. A complete cross section of individuals involved within the Druid Community. Following on from the great success of 2009, DruidicDawn.org is putting together The 2nd Celtic Why not have a look now on-line and at the same Gathering which is being held in Ontario, Canada. time support your community, plus you get to save To all of those who would like to know what a great the presentations on your own PC to watch at your event it was, have a look this video and you’ll see leisure. what we’re talking about. Places are limited, and we suggest you book now so that we can see you in Speaking of supporting the community, any July. The Celtic Gathering is all about participation, contributions in supporting the DruidicDawn.org and wherever possible (time permitting) if you want cause would be gratefully accepted. Feel good in the to speak, perform, teach, then please let us know knowledge that giving helps others, and there’s and we’ll see what we can do. We can’t guarantee nothing wrong in feeling good about giving. everyone a slot, so we suggest you book sooner rather than later to give you every opportunity to “show and tell”. The booking form is on-line and please let us know if you wish to present and we’ll endeavour to sort out the schedule to fit you in.

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Calling all Druids who have editorial experience History is distributed worldwide outside of the UK the title is known as Tracing Family History. The Aontacht continues to grow in its readership with next publication will be on the 25th of March, and we every issue, thanks to an incredible team of dedicated look forward to welcoming its readers to join volunteers. DruidicDawn.org and meet other like minded individuals. What Aontacht needs is that “special someone” to become its editor and guide Aontacht to spread its As always we’re continually bouncing around new wings and gain more readers, and that could be you. ideas and concepts, based upon your input, and we shall always endeavour to improve, innovate and It doesn’t matter if you are someone whose a “silver create something that benefits the community both surfer” wanting to keep their brain active, or an up online and in the natural environment. and coming new age editor looking to demonstrate your skills. What’s important is that you care about Until the next time making Aontacht even better, every time.

So what are you waiting for? Tell us about yourself and send an email to [email protected]. Aontacht DD Representative

DruidicDawn.org is featured in a magazine!!

The very popular magazine Your Family History will have a large section featuring DruidicDawn.org’s section about Fraternal Druids, especially about the unique Fraternal Druid Lodge Index. Your Family

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The D D Q &A : SHAKTIGENAINE

A Featured Interview

K

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DD: Thank you Shakti for taking the time to answer a Spanish community which had lots of problems. On questions from the Druidic Dawn's global communi- site, people asked me to help them sort it all out, and ty. How did you become interested in Druidry and three months later, I came to Spain for good, with my are there some influential people who have assisted two kids (aged then 3 and 8) and took the reins of the you along the path? community (80 people, 25 children) after the current leader had a heart attack and asked me to take over. Shakti: Thank you for interviewing me. I feel honored. I became interested in Druidry after having finished The Harmonic Convergence was really the starting my work for my Psychosynthesis diploma, in 2005. I point of everything. Sixteen million people, gathered had already realized – 42 years back, when I was in my in sacred places all around the planet, pledged them- “hippy” twenties! - that people have mostly lost selves to a new way of life on Earth, on the night of touch with their “incarnation” and with the planet as the 16th to the 17th of August. Me, among them. an ecosystem of which we are such an intimate part. I mean, as a species, we´ve really lost it! After finish- ing my training in PS (psychosynthesis defines itself as Twenty-four years later the original community “a psychology with a soul”), I wanted to know if there exists no more, people have found their own paths to had been societies who had not lived in the destruc- a new way of life. Only a small group kept the original tive way of our modern societies, and found the Earth project of the Convergence alive, and this group is Spirituality Movement, became interested in the what allowed me and my family to buy the property Celts, and then, in the Druids which interested me for where the Project, - the Earth Sanctuary – was born. the fact that they left no buildings and scarce informa- tion about their practice and customs. It sounded to One day, sitting in meditation in a garden, I “heard me like a success story of a “recycled” religion! I was a voice” in my head that told me: “Please let the ivy drawn to the idea of a people using the forests as !”I opened my eyes, looked around and real- churches. In 2004 I met OBOD after having listened – ized that though the vegetation was burnt ochre (this by chance- to the current OBOD Pendragon´s music is the usual in Spain in summer!), there was a layer of – I´m speaking of Dahm the Bard, Dave Smith, of brown earth underneath, covered with ivy, and that if course. I was interested by his energy and the philoso- I cut the dry parts, an emerald carpet appeared! So phy of his songs, and investigated in the Internet. that became the metaphor by which the group creat- When I saw that the Chosen-Chief had been trained ed the Project of the Earth Sanctuary. in Psychosynthesis, it clinched the deal, I registered. I am a graduated OBOD Druid now, with a lovely piece of paper that says that I am a “proper” Druid (if there DD: Why did you purchase that piece of is such a thing!)…So let it be said, once and for all, Mother Earth? What was there when you first ar- that I was attracted to Druidry by Dahm the Bard´s rived and how has it developed since 1998, physical- flowing hair and pagan songs… ly and spiritually? Are there any particularly potent spots on that property and what happens at such places? DD: In 1998, you bought a 108 acres mountain woodland property in Catalonia, Spain, and in 2005 put it at the disposal of an OBOD Seed-group now Shakti: There are only two properties in this valley, known as the . Could and I had been living in one for ten years. The other you elaborate on whether Druidry was the impetus was the property that became the Earth Sanctuary. I behind the move from Switzerland to Spain? knew the valley like the back of my hands. What really decided me though, was that in a corner of the “other” property, one day, I saw an ivy plant Shakti: No, the energy behind my move – 24 years ago I got the metaphor too, especially after having - was of a more psychotherapeutic, well practical, had the above mentioned vision! Besides, the nature. Druidry came much later on. I was invited for opportunity, the group, the circumstances, even the the Harmonic Convergence in 1987, as a therapist - to price of the land (the owner wanted to get rid of the

Aontacht • 10 Volume 3, Issue 4 property in a hurry as he had inherited it, and saw no in love with the chickens, so we do not eat them, and “profit” in it, oh shades of the Ferengi!) These eggs ! A good lesson about sustainability, circumstances, the money that we had, everything, too! were very specific, absolutely unique. I jumped! Our Mantram as guardians of the Land is: “Less is When I arrived in the valley in 1987, there was more.” Another one is “If it´s happy, don´t touch it!” absolutely no consciousness about the Land. The We gave the Land back to Mother Earth. She is people of the community were supposedly steeped showing us the way, we only clear small paths, and in spiritual energies, but they did absolutely nothing some brambles. We clean, we prune, we are attentive about the sewage pipes and the gardens. That is the to what Nature needs to flower. The rest is fast first thing that I tackled as a new leader: the sewage becoming a balanced “ecosystem” again. There are pipes! Quite a challenge!...The collected shit was new plants, new flowers, new birds, deer and boar, running down the mountainside (this is a and all sorts of small life, including a species of water metaphor, the pipes had burst) and was arriving to crabs in our little river that has disappeared in the rest the village!...Too many people for the pipes, and too of Spain. The biologist who found that out danced a much shit, on lots of levels! There was no ecological merry dance, we couldn´t really get what he was so consciousness present at all, though people incessantly happy about! But apparently, our swimming pool (a talked about “seeking Enlightenment”, and water reservoir in case of fires really, only someone Meditation, and Karma, and Chakras! I told them: “Let put two fancy staircases in, and the now me show you what real enlightenment is all about! looks like something out of Hollywood!...And yes, we Get new pipes ! And wake !” swim in it during the summer), well this “swimming pool” hosts weird life forms that, for some esoteric Ten years into the mentioned experience, I had the reason, make the delight of our scientist friends!... opportunity to buy the other property, which became the Earth Sanctuary. I was supported by a group that had gathered around the necessity of starting an ecological project, of maintaining the 108 acres of land. I had no money of my own, but a system was established by which people would make donations and I would give my work as a group therapist in exchange. This worked perfectly; since 2008 the property is totally paid for, and in 2011 we are starting the real work on the ecological level.

There are a few spots on the property which have become sacred to us Druids, yes. Special places like a grove of Mediterranean oaks growing from a rock hill, (our sacred grove) and (a “Charge of the Gods” Shakti huge rock that I have been told had once been under water, millions of years ago, and you can still find DD: Could you explain more about the work of the fossils there). These are spots where you can really Lothlorien-Nemeton Grove? For instance, does it feel in touch with the Earth Mother. work closely with other Spanish Druid Groups on …And believe it or not, the chickencoop! We get the ground? Does it organize events for European or nine eggs every day, and let me tell you, that is a of eggs for five people! Not enough to sell, but we Spanish Druids? Are there any planned for the near learned all about egg recipes, English plum cakes, future? Does the Grove attract other local OBOD cookies, pies…There are only so many eggs that a Druids in the area? group of five people can eat every week!... It turned out that the person who manages the chickencoop is

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Shakti: No, we do not work with other Druid property already, anyway, which have to be groups in Spain. We are far too pragmatic for that. rehabilitated, a lot of work!) I mean, as we are involved in meaningful action the Tell that to the animals, to the trees, to the earth: whole day long, we don´t have much time to discuss Hello! No parking plots!... philosophical questions, which the Spanish Druids So, in fact, this place is fast becoming a real love doing (…and elsewhere too, no?) And we do Sanctuary on the ecological level, and we are not not, at this time, organize any events. The Earth too interested in disturbing its current balance. Sanctuary´s core group is active on several Druid As for flower, plants and trees, I´ll let you imagine Message Boards in the Internet, and we would like the riot in Spring! to keep it this way for the moment, since the group that supports us economically prefers it. This allows As a matter of fact, we tried to open some us to do our work in an autonomous way. And it workshops in the past, but soon realized that this allows Mother Earth to do her work, with almost is not the way to go. Maybe this will change in the no human intervention. future, but I do not think so. We are too deeply into the spiritual link with the Land to open up the Autonomy, independence, freedom, are place, which is maintained privately by donations, keywords at the Sanctuary. As are: Team work, and so the core group team is effectively, a group group consciousness, and solidarity with all Life. of , only we usually do not put forward the information that we are Druids, Spain The work of the , being a largely Catholic country, we want to respect which is affiliated to OBOD, has changed over the the main religion of the country and be discrete. years from a group specialized in conflict We do not need to make a statement anyway. management to a more specific ecological work, mainly of maintenance of the property, woodland DD: The is a project of and forest, gardening and landscaping. We manage the Has it come out a tree nursery, and starting this year - we will work of its gestation period and been opened? with a Catalonian Land Stewardship organization to reintroduce endangered species (dragonflies, butterflies, small animals, etc). We have deer and Shakti: No, it hasn´t been opened to the public, wild boar, foxes and eagles. There are owls, of but it is working on a local basis. We are at the course, and all sorts of birds. Insects, of course, experimental stage now. galore! We are working to make this place a nature reserve, no access to the public, but lately we signed DD: The School´s coregroup•creates Art (Bardic a ten-year contract with a local University and its journey), studies Ecopsychology (Ovates), and Department of Biology, to allow scientists to do practices Psychosynthesis• (Becoming a Druid in ecological fieldwork. the Third Millennium). Can you elaborate on Two small streams are crossing the property, and this? these are of special interest to the biologists involved in the ecological management of aquatic ecosystems, since ours have not been touched for Shakti: All three components of the Earth over 60 years, mainly because of lack of interest on Sanctuary´s core group team are OBOD Druids. part of the previous owners. You know, One of them on his way in the Grade, one finishing the Grade, and the third one (me, actually) has Meaning, hotels, parking graduated from the OBOD Course. During the lots, supermarkets…)The property is located just OBOD Course, we started practicing Art, on the fringe of an official Defense of the Ecopsychology and Psychosynthesis within the Environment plan, and so nobody can build new context of the Course, that is within the specific houses, not even us! (There are five houses on the context of Druidry. After having finished the Course, I realized that we now have all the

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necessary tools to work with Bards, Ovates and DD: You also manage the SYNERGY School as a Druids, either in OBOD or out of it. The OBOD modern (as described by Alice Course is still the basis on which our form of A. Bailey) and define it as a teaching Druidry firmly stands.

We are not “reconstructionists”, and we are not very interested in rituals, if ritual is not accompanied in parallel with a deep journey of self-discovery. Actually, each component of the core group has a very personal way of celebrating Shakti: , if it ever ritual, what we share is all the rest, every day. comes to work openly, is the Druidic branch of SYNERGY. SYNERGY is defined as a School for World Servers, in the terms of Alice A. Bailey. We DD: What types of courses does or will the are not attached to any known organization, but we have been much inspired by Mrs. Bailey´s offer the 21st century Dru- work, as explained in her books. We define id? Is or will it be attended in real time at the SYNERGY as a “Mystery School” because we do Earth Sanctuary or does it have an internet base? esoteric group work in the direction AAB Can you tell us more about your role as the describes in her books. We are not teaching the of the school? books, we are teaching our understanding of the books, based on personal experience.

Shakti: Well, precisely this: Art (including writing and poetry), Ecopsychology (deep ecology) and DD: The •is•a programme of the Psychosynthesis (a deep personal Journey into SYNERGY School that "exists to empower peo- self-knowledge), all of which roughly corresponds ple to go on a Journey into their own condition- to the three OBOD Grades: Bards, Ovates and ing, and thus•find creative solutions to their Druids. We hope it will be attended in real time current problems, which we think have been at the Earth Sanctuary in the future, and we will created by a vastly erroneous education." Can also work through the Internet, of course, as long as the Internet is up. (We are very aware of the you explain this more and go into more depth on “peak oil” crisis and the necessity of a post-oil the "erroneous education" aspect? “re-skilling”, so we are training ourselves in all sorts of survival techniques, from building huts to making our own bread to managing a vegetable Shakti: Joseph Campbell talked about the Hero´s patch, and trying to not be too Internet- Journey, which is defined as a process of dependent). progressive individuation. This is also the aim of Psychosynthesis. And the aim of work with me My role is to secure the coordination of personally. The Journey into self-knowledge is a students at all levels, to manage the Earth journey of transformation and healing. Of slowly Sanctuary on the financial and administrative levels understanding how Society “ticks”. And of course, (manage the donations and the bank accounts). I we do Shadow work (which nobody likes to do, work with a small group in the Internet teaching but is so essential, fundamental, to understanding Psychosynthesis. Apart from that, I am free to do the principles of a practical individuation process.) as I please, mainly art-ing. My function here at the From what I know from my own spiritual Journey, Sanctuary is best described as a sort of general and started many many years back, we have all been benevolent Anam Cara figure, mentor, guide, mutilated in some way by our education, by the whatever you may call it. fragmented way society perpetuates itself. All of us are, in some way, “damaged goods”. Then, one

Aontacht • 13 Volume 3, Issue 4 day, if you are lucky, some ray of hope penetrates Shakti: There are no “official” courses (that is what the hull that you have created to survive, and the a “Mystery” School is all about!). And certainly none Light of consciousness comes in. The whole purpose that we sell. We meet our students through of Psychosynthesis is to “find ourselves” again, re- coincidence and synchronicities (…Bless the Way of connect, both with our roots and with Spirit. Of the Wyrd!). Those that need us find us, and those course, this Quest is not new. At the entry of the that do not we do not want anyway, so it works out. Temple at Delphi, this was already engraved : “Know We would like to have people for spiritual retreats, Thyself”. I think, if I´m not mistaken, that it yes. Still have to condition the houses, but it is continued “”…and you will know the Universe.” But possible. well, “Know Thyself” is a good way to start on an inner Journey. There are 108 acres of land, so the space for food production is practically infinite. We do have an What I would like to say about our Hero´s active vegetable patch, which works pretty well now Journey, and the way we teach it, is that it is not a (being city bumpkins originally, we learned through refusal of the modern world, it is a deep contact with some terrible mistakes!). Going down to the veg the world, a reckoning of how things really are and patch to pick your own tomatoes for a pizza is a an integration. In this Journey, we follow the lines wonderful experience!... that Jung explained about personal integration, and we teach the basic esoteric laws and principles (like alignment to the inner Light and group work). We DD: You say that the has a triple teach through example, as the Old Ones did, and by nature. That it is an Ecopsychology Project, a Cen- experience, more than through academic knowledge. ter for Applied Psychosynthesis and a group of Our specific way is to let the student create her/his people dedicated to Dharma - creating a balanced own programme, and only be there to help them avoid the most serious traps and entanglements. This path of Earth and Sky. Can you tell us more about is a way that allows the teachers to learn from the how these three components work together to cre- students, too. The works of Ken Wilber and the Zen ate your unique approach? Masters is significant too.

Shakti: This three-in-one form of the Earth Sanctuary represents the three levels of (the Ecospychology Project), (Applied Psychosynthesis) and (spiritual orientation). These three levels of human development actually go together, and deeply enrich each other. Leave one of them out, and you will create a very unbalanced world! (Which is the case currently, as we all know). This Triadic Form is well-known in Druidry so I need not say much more.

“Vision Quest” Shakti DD: Could you explain more about your Art work, are there any public exhibitions’ planned in DD: Could you tell us more about the the future? Can people buy any of your artwork from the practical level? For example are via the internet or at the Sanctuary? courses or spiritual retreats offered to interested parties? Is there enough land to enable self suffi- Shakti: I use Art for, and in, my personal Journey, ciency in the food produced? and also to teach others in their own Journey, but no, I am not selling my art, and I am not doing exhibitions. I have in the past, but these days, I feel

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Art more as a spiritual tool, a spiritual Path even, than Shakti: The first of all the means to become more as a personally aware, might very well be becoming “stewards of the land”, learning responsibility and Art is a way for me to express my inner Journey, practical care for a real piece of land. Actually buying my archetypal Journey, what I feel, about myself and these 108 acres of woodland has brought me some the world that surrounds me, what I think about it rather immense challenges as a person, and it has all, it is a way to tell others who I am. It is my link taught me compassion, humility, flexibility, and above with the world, directly from the inner soul-level all…patience! About reconnecting with my roots, I “in-here” to others “out there”, so it is a privileged way feel stable, grounded, and expanding. The Druidic of communicating with others, a bridge with the Wheel of the Year is a reality for me, every day. I world. I have a gallery – the Imladris Gallery – in the experience the changing of Seasons, the changes of Internet, and that is enough for me. temperature, the smells, the night sky, the winds, the dawns, the sunsets, the colors, the presence of the world around me, the beauty and challenge of each DD: Being an Artist, I would be very interested to step along the way. Being here and living the know more about the artistic work of the Land, not only the Land, has enriched me Could you explain more immeasurably as a person. I feel like a Gaian, not really part of any specific nation (I now speak three on this and their work? Is it possible for additional languages, daily, being a part of an international team: artists to join the group? originally I´m Swiss, as are my daughters so we speak French, the third part of the core group being English), I truly feel a part of this this lovely planet Shakti: The TAG Guild is a collective art project in that is Home to all of us. How could we, as a species, the Internet, started last October. It has been created forget that! by a friend of mine, the Earth Sanctuary core group are only participants in this round (a year, from I realize that not anybody encounters the right Samhain to Samhain). It is a Journey in the Internet, circumstances to buy a piece of land, I´m only saying with 27 other artists mostly women, all around the that if you do, you will soon understand, in your very planet, not all of them being active 4 months on! The bones, what the word (response-ability) core group here is very involved however, in the really means!... context of practicing and honing our skill at storytelling (a Bardic art if there ever was one!) and creative writing (also a Bardic art). The project has absolutely no official aspect and does not involve money. I will probably start another round myself next Samhain, with new artists, in some Druid community and context. So you will be very welcome! For the moment, the TAG only works through the Internet and we are not professionals.

DD: It seems human kind have been distancing themselves from being part of the animal world/ part of Gaia, for a very long time. You talk of being Neo-Druids and Gaian Druids and . How do you feel about reconnecting with our species roots? Can you describe any spe- cific ways to become more aware of and enlighten Copyright: Shakti the pathways between us and Gaia?

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DD: When talking about the Magic of Unity, in your beneath one´s feet. Being rooted, with Life, TAG blog, you say that "Shakti, the Magician, the enjoying the ride, and teaching others to do the same. Auth-or, is not at all satisfied with the fuddy-duddy And of course, we are Peacemakers, aren´t we? archetypes that are suggested for women like me as valid images of our animus(es)!" Have you found DD: You talk of learning about Equus, the collective any other images that more valid and has your Soul of the Horse species and learning to communi- thinking on this evolved/ developed any further? cate with it. Can you elaborate on the human ability to communicate with other individuals in a different Shakti: Aha. You read that in my storytelling TAG species, but also the species as a whole? blog, about my work with the Animus. *smile*. Thinking about how I would like to answer this Shakti: Ah, the Equus factor. was a direct question, I had a flash- consequence of the Storytelling Journey. I was writing thought about the “fuddy-duddy” old stereotype about horses, and my daughter discovered that I had . You know, the ancient, masculine, bearded never been actually in close contact with a horse! So Merlin-types? I think that we have to bring the she got me – firmly! – by the arm and brought me to concept of “Druids” up to date if we want Druidry to a center where they rehabilitate horses the Monty survive. Roberts way (the so-called “natural” way with horses, Yes, my thinking about my own “Animus” (the Jungian without steel, stirrups or human domination). archetype) has evolved a lot during the TAG Journey, and goes on evolving as I meet new people of the other My first experience, close up and personal, with a sex. Druids can be funny, riotous, outrageous, pleasure- horse was an old giant called Salvo (which means “I oriented, and…female! save”!). They told me: “Come on, do it! Scrub him, gently! See what happens!...” I looked at the beast and I don´t know if you know funny Druids, but I do. what I felt was respect, even awe. So big, so gentle. Druids can be outrageous. In my humble opinion “Our therapist”, the owner said. Druids be outrageous, should challenge conditioned mindsets. Druidry is about a personal Well, that was some experience let me tell you. I Journey, a shaking off of stereotypes, a breaking of practice a form of Reiki, so my hands are the part of restraining self-images. A standing forward to one´s me that is most sensitive in communication with the own plate in life and be counted, following the path world, and as I touched the horse, being deeply aware of one´s own Dharma, not anyone else´s, be it a of what was happening, images started to roll around teacher, an authority figure, an archetype… It´s also in my head…I saw a young horse, mane in the wind, about laughing a lot, a deep belly laughter because Life galloping free, and then…pain. Fatigue, and more pain. is a sheer delight if you let yourself feel it in your Isolation. Not understanding what the “two-legged” bones!...I don´t have altars for the gods, since I live want. More pain. I looked at the horses´head, and the under the trees (as the Old Ones did), but if I had to horse looked back sort of tiredly at me. Whot, lady ? create one for a god, it would be an altar to Cernunnos. Done scrubbing yet? The young horse in my head (Did I tell you that I am partial, even at my age, to long galloped free, mane in the wind…I saw myself as a hair on men? Lol.) young person, wild and free. Oh Salvo, I thought, what life made of us both… For me, Druidry is not only about technical knowledge and rituals, it´s about love and laughter, I started to cry. There was a huge wave of and good feelings. An opening inside to all the gifts of emotion rolling inside me. Life. For me a good Druid is an exploded head space rooted in the Stars, a beating heart, good working The owner of Salvo smiled and said, “Yeah, yeah. hands, and never, ever, losing the sacred ground We know about all that…”

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And then he asked me (which was the DD: .Do you have any particular words or advice determining factor for me): “What you felt…was it you would like to leave with us?” yours or the horse´s?” And the answer dawned on me, Both. All of it, together. My pain, the horse´s pain, Shakti: I would like to leave you with a quote: the planet´s pain. All one.

And then this man told me : “You touched the s .” This is from Rachel Naomi And from that moment on, I was hooked. The Remen, MD, author of . same happened to the two other parts of the Earth Sanctuary´s core group team, so we created the Thank you for reading. Project EPONA, to rehabilitate horses and give them sanctuary. I am stunned, never thought about ! And yet the more this project takes shape, the more I see its . At this moment, I must say, this has become a priority. (Just to show you that the Earth Sanctuary is not a finished , it is a living .)

The same happened with dogs, the core group team lives with three dogs, as a pack. We are all very interested in the “Wolf Way” (Shaun Ellis). I think we have got a pretty nice thing going there, with other species. And of course, I talk to plants and trees, but maybe that´s just because I´m some sort of a crazy old Baba Yaga… Artwork by Shakti I think that we have not explored yet the vast possibilities of the Gaian mind, meaning the mind of Gaia . Places like our Earth Sanctuary are maybe, or will become, the ideal places to use as “evolutionary laboratories” to develop new human potentials. We welcome any interested inquiries about this.

DD: Can you recommended books that have had a big impact on you over the years?

Shakti: Only ? *grin* Well, then, (Psychology in the Service of Life), Andy Fisher. , (An exploration of Ecopsychology), Theodore Roszak. , David Abram (recent), , James Lovelock, and , Wilhelm Reich.

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Debra Lewis (Woodfox)

Photo By Survo Khan I read the definition of Hiraeth, and immediately communities all had to work together in this way understood. For me, it cannot be put into words for survival, each member depending on each appropriately. My husband says it's homesickness, other. After the frolic, there would be a square but sometimes it's more than that. How can you be dance. homesick for someplace you've never been? Longing, desire, and absolute need. These things make more sense. Hiraeth is the fisherman who simply must go out to sea with a need so strong he may as well have seawater in his veins.

Growing up in Nova Scotia, Canada, I was surrounded by the concept of Hiraeth, but I'd never known what it was called.

The culture I grew up in was one of holding on for dear life to the traditions of the Old Country. Another great tradition of the Scots is that of The people my Grandmother called the "old the Ceilidh, a massive party held for just about any people" kept traditions such as not having a reason in villages and towns, especially in Cape Christmas tree, but only having boughs decorating Breton. Ceilidhs were once held in people's houses, the windowsills and evergreen branches (most but modern ceilidhs are often held in places like likely fir as they smell nicest) bound into a ball and the fire hall or legion. Everybody and anybody is hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room. welcome. Tourists are welcome to drop in as They refused to have a Christmas tree on the basis they're driving past, etc. Some of the best it was a German tradition, not a Scottish one. My traditional musicians of the area started out playing Great-Grandfather was the first generation of my in legions, fire halls and kitchen parties. Natalie ancestors in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to have a McMaster, master fiddle player, started out playing Christmas tree. celidhs with her uncle Buddy MacMaster. One poignantly well known song which captures the Another tradition they've kept was that of the heart and spirit of hiraeth is Out on the Mira (by Milling Frolic, which is rare these days, but people John McDermott). Hailing its name from a well still hold to it. When my grandmother was a young known a river in Cape Breton, it has been passed girl, she went to one for weaving homemade down from our ancestors. blankets. It was a kind of party, but it had a purpose. Men and women of the community would "Out on the Mira on soft summer nights get together, sing songs and thump wet wool Bonfires blaze to the children's delight against a table to the beat of the song. This action They dance round the flames singing songs with caused the wool to tighten up and shrink, meaning their friends it wouldn't shrink in the future when worn as a I wish I was with them again garment. This was a major community event. The And over the ashes the stories are told

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Of witches and werewolves and Oak Island gold Instead they died in Nova Scotia, their children The stars on the river they sparkle and spin were born in Nova Scotia, and then they too died I wish I was with them again" there. Each successive generation dreaming of the chance to return to their parents’ homeland, their It's a song about missing home, about missing grandparents’ homeland. To return to their roots. childhood, and about missing the simple life. The most effective way to express such feelings of My Grandmother, Mary Hayden, dreamed her longing is through song. Many from Cape Breton, whole life of going to Scotland for a holiday. Cape well...probably most of them.... can't imagine living Breton, Nova Scotia would always be home, but she anywhere else. The same feeling is extended longed for the heather, the lochs, the sheep, and the throughout Nova Scotia. Actually, I have yet to fishing villages of the Scottish Highlands. My meet a person who has been to Nova Scotia and Mother says when Grammie landed in Glasgow doesn't long to return, if not to live then at least for a airport just before her 68th birthday, she instantly holiday. felt like she'd come home. She spent much of the trip seemingly in a daze, so completely This sentiment is expressed in the lyrics of overwhelmed with the knowledge that she finally Natalie McMaster's, My Love, Cape Breton, and Me got to see the place that she was meant to be from. (Bob Quinn lyrics) On her 68th birthday, she even got to spend the day in Loch Broom, where her Grandfather's Great "Always your rivers are calling to me Grandfather, had lived. Dad teasingly told Grammie I hear the sound of sweet melody he was going to push her into Loch Ness the day When we’re apart and I feel so alone they were there if the monster showed itself, and she Carry me home, carry me home" quite seriously said "Go ahead, I've done everything I've ever wanted to." The most subtle of traditions passed from the early settlers down to my generation was the desire She was sad to leave Scotland was also glad to to return home to Scotland. My maternal return to Cape Breton with the call of her blood Grandmother's lineage came from the Loch Broom having been answered. It is said, once a Caper, area of the Scottish Highlands Inverness-shire. always a Caper. "Caper" being a term of endearment Some were forced to leave at the tail end of the for someone from Cape Breton. She was most Clearances. Others simply wanted to make a better definitely that. Cape Breton was her home but life for their families. They always dreamed of one Scotland was the home of her "people" and she day returning home. They gave up everything satisfied a longing ingrained in all of us. She took including their language, to start fresh. My Great- great pleasure in showing anyone who wanted to see Grandmother was not permitted to speak anything the pictures of her holiday. In the years following, other than English in school and was punished if the when she developed senility and didn't always teacher discovered she'd spoken it at home. In those remember her own children's names, she days the punishment was not sitting in the naughty remembered everything about that trip to Scotland. corner. Despite it being her mother tongue and although her parents were fluent in Gaelic, my Great In the years since my Grandmother passed away, Grandmother understood only some Gaelic, and my I too answered the call to return to the land of my Grandmother spoke no Gaelic at all except for one heritage. I have lived in England for six years. I “special” phrase used when people were getting always think how pleased she'd be for me, I impatient with her. sometimes think that I'm living her dream, and every now and then I'll go someplace and I'll think I suppose they must have thought they'd how she'd have loved to see it. Since moving to immigrate to this wild, resource rich land to make England, I have made a point of travelling to their fortunes then everyone would return to Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Germany. Part of me Scotland.

Aontacht • 19 Volume 3, Issue 4 yearns to see every inch of these lands. And I though no longer used, was still there, the trees feel somehow that I must make a pilgrimage to that I remembered were still there and the pink as much of it as I can. I go out of my way to find granite boulder that I used to crawl on when I dolmens, standing stones, and other megalithic was a little girl was in the same place as I'd left and ancestral sites to honor, not only the Gods it, though now a good deal smaller than I and Goddesses of the land, but also to honor my remember. ancestors. I feel I need to let them know somehow that I've been here. That, after all this I have dreamed of that house ever since I left time, the blood of their veins has returned. it. I think it was the first place I identified as home, and I hadn't seen it since I was twelve, Funny enough, athough I have answered the more than two decades ago. As I set my eyes on call of my ancestors and moved to the UK, I still the boulder, I felt like I'd finally gone home, my yearn for Nova Scotia, Canada! I sometimes find whole being -- soul and all -- sighed with myself searching the real estate agent's websites recognition, because I'd been searching for looking at house prices even though I will likely "home" ever since we moved away. I know now, never move back. There are people there that I seeing the old house, that it's not my home, and miss a great deal, and there are places that I long perhaps it never was. But the pink granite for. Whenever I do go back for a visit I always boulder was. The trees that I played around end up making what seems like a pilgrimage to were. The smell of the spruce and fir trees, the all the old places I loved so much when I lived pine, the needles carpeting the floor, all smell of there. That done, I feel better and I can come home to me. These, or the smell of clover in the back to the UK and get on with my life. meadows and sweet grass growing in the estuaries, are all home. I brought a little bit of The majority of my Mother's family still that pink granite back to my new home in the resides in Cape Breton. I visit as often as I can. UK this time, and I haven't felt quite so One of the things I love most about the area of homesick since. Neil's Harbour, Cape Breton, where my Aunt lives, is the salty sea air. The salt is so thick you can smell it; taste it on the breeze. A good, clean smell. It smells of home to me.

The hospitality of Cape Breton is a force to be reckoned with. I reacted to the chlorine in my Aunt's water after a shower, so the neighbors said I could shower at their place because they had well water. There was no questioning it. For the rest of the visit I used their shower and they expected me to. If I'd turned them down, they Photo by Brian would have been offended. Apparently, there is a "Law of Hospitality" in the Scottish culture that I wonder if "hiraeth" is a little bit heritage, a I've learned about since moving away from Nova little bit homesickness, and a lot desire, longing Scotia. It's just the way things are done. and need. It mustn't be entirely homesickness though, because fisherman and navy personnel My last visit to Nova Scotia, I took a trip to often absolutely need to go to sea. They can't my childhood home, which was a log cabin in stay on land, it's as if they have sea water in their the middle of the woods near Truro. When I saw veins. Or perhaps they've answered a siren's call. it, it had aged and there were some changes to Sometimes I desperately need to remind myself the house, but what amazed me the most was where I come from; where my ancestors come how little else had changed. The old driveway, from. I need to sing the songs I grew up with in

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Nova Scotia, I need to burn a bit of sweet grass References: around the house and hold a bit of pink granite in my Natalie MacMaster's Webpage hand; and sometimes I need to walk the ancient http://www.nataliemacmaster.com/recordings/lyrics. trackways in various parts of the UK and touch the htm standing stones, the dolmens or the ancient yews, and I wonder if any of my ancestors touched that Lyrics Depot http://www.lyricsdepot.com/john- tree or that stone just like I did. mcdermott/song-for-the-mira.html

Sometimes the idea of Hiraeth is hard to explain John McDermott's Webpage unless you have felt it. In some ways it's a curse, this http://www.johnmcdermott.com/ forever longing or forever searching, especially if you're not able to "scratch that itch" as it were. I think perhaps a poem or a song can get the idea across better. When I read the subject of this edition of Aontacht I immediately thought of the poem I'd written years ago about blood recognition of the music of the Celtic culture even though I understood not one word of Gaelic. I've reworked it a bit, and I present it to you here:

Song of the Blood (By Debra Lewis/Woodfox)

To hear a woman's cry As her heart is torn apart Needing release The blood weeping Violin, harp and drum Releasing feelings Makes you want to die Blood keening Dreaming of home Of battles of greed and of swords Apparitions in the mist Loves suddenly lost Photo by Frank Martin A language lost in time Singing home to me Every word is true Every one is about you

Damh the Bard is visiting Australia in May. Sponsored by Australia’s premier folk-rock band, Spiral Dance, he will be appearing with them in Adelaide on May 19, Melbourne on May 20, and Sydney on May 21. For further details check the following websites: http://www.spiraldance.com.au and http://www.paganmusic.co.uk

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Article By Justin Teague Whale Photos by Robin Hunter, US FWS

This is my account and reflection on spending I am not the over-inflated, earth-bound ego fluttering some time with a Hump Back Whale at Ocean Grove, between grandeur and sad reality. I am a frail and weak Victoria, Australia in early winter of 2010. I was going human and this Whale makes me see my insignificance surfing with my house mate who hadn’t been surfing and the fallacy of my race. for very long. We went to my childhood surf-break where the waves are easy and a car park, promenade, Often, all that could be seen were the upwellings facilities and café are all close to shore. I’d been coming of turbulence from its tail. Soon enough, the here for 30 years although very infrequently over the upwellings had turned and come towards me. I've last 20 because the waves don’t offer the thrills that a turned 90 degrees and started paddling steadily to more proficient surfer desires, so I wasn’t expecting shore but before I know it the water under me turns much. It was probably the last warm sunny day we had black. It’s as if a submarine has passed beneath me. that year before winter kicked in and it was the day Small dull shocks bustle the hull of my surfboard that I went surfing with a Humpback Whale and had indicating the sheer mass of water being displaced as what many people would call a religious experience. the whale passes beneath me. The spine and flukes Below is my recollection and reflection on this event. I slowly pass within reach though I refrain from welcome your comments if you would like to share touching for fear of frightening or tickling it and having them: [email protected] it blast me out of the water. Despite this I know it is gentle and kind. The turbulence dissipates in its wake. Fifteen to twenty tonnes of mammal, not lurching, I am humbled by this massive creature; a true not heaving, not lunging through the ocean but owning King/Queen. the ocean with its massive size and deliberate movement. Fish move like scooters and motorbikes It’s just me beyond the breaking waves with my but whales move like ships. Having a twelve metre friend and few others toying around in the white cetacean wanting to investigate you as a person, not as water. There’s a collection of landlubbers in the café food, being able to crush you with a playful slap, is sipping lattes and living on a totally different planet, incredibly humbling. It’s not just the enormity of its nay, universe to the one I’m in at present: The whale physical presence that’s humbling but also the feeling frequently passes by me, curious and inviting me to that you are in the company of an intelligent being, inquire. It hangs around me for maybe half an hour, that’s absolutely huge. Despite sensing this intelligence maybe it was only five minutes, coming and going, I fear that in an effort to extend a hand in friendship it being so close to shore it is stirring up sand from its might squash me flat. I'm scared and having doubts tail strokes. I'm able to catch the largest set waves on about my choice to enter the water with this colossus. my surfboard. It is so close to shore I worry that it may

Aontacht • 22 Volume 3, Issue 4 strand. I’m suddenly feeling guilty about it being so close Whales remind me of the millennia-old, tree-spirit to the breaking waves. Not wanting to jeopardise it I Ents in Lord of the Rings; creatures whose psyche keep a distance worthy of royalty, and I despise royalty, extend for centuries and who see the whole Earth, not at least the human version. just the Earth's immediate constituents. Humans only see what's around them and in the busy, westernised The whale, by observing my subtle movements away modern day, cannot see far into the future, cannot see from it, has respectfully maintained a safe distance, the pending culmination of the many environmental, showing a sign of its intelligence and awareness and social and economic problems we have today, which willingness to exhibit what I believe is empathy. may eventuate only a couple of years away. The signs are Swaying in the waves with me and turning in the swells there but we still cannot see that far ahead. Whales are with its belly rubbing on the sand, sharing a common huge. They roam the oceans with a range larger than the harmonic bond in nature. Our disparate masses, continent of Australia. They 'know' the world, the perceptions and origins are nulled by universal rhythm seasons, the years, decades. Whale songs, like Aboriginal of the waves. The swells – shaped like energy waves – Dreamtime songs, capture millenia of history, capture are born thousands of kilometres away from winds that sea level rises and fallings, meteorite landings, have been generated from temperature differentials continental shiftings, capture the sad memories of caused by energy waves emitted from the sun. Surfers humans hunting them. are doing more than having fun. We are playing with the elemental vibrations of the universe. Time slows down We are ants, ruled by a few queens and kings, some when you are standing inside the breaking wave. Surfing of who are genuinely good and democratically minded is a beautiful thing when it’s not done for money. and who give me hope for a positive future, hopefully following Cetacean wisdom; global, whole-Earth Before heading away it has pulled up alongside me wisdom. Whales are the wise granddaddies and and braked its momentum for maybe half a minute. Its grandmothers of the ocean, elders to be cherished and flipper is just within my reach, as if to shake my hand, respected. Sharks, in their prehistoric manner see us just and it’s huge intelligent, mammalian eye is looking right as a food item; cannot comprehend conscience or at me, imploring me to reciprocate the inquiry and emotion, whereas cetaceans do have feelings. Cetaceans wondering why I don’t. It's just too massive for me, plus are smart and beautiful. I can only imagine the depth and there are heavy fines for approaching cetaceans and I was intensity of fear a whale would feel when being hunted in clear sight of anyone who may interpret my behaviour by a ship that is faster than them and armed with as harassment. Cetaceans actually seek attention from weapons and intent to kill. My English-language students humans. I and other surfers and boaters have seen this from Burma and Afghanistan describe what it’s like often. At times I have had eye contact with the frisky being hunted - !!!!!! - Could you eat a chimpanzee? A Dolphins while surfing with them in the waves. They whale is not a chimp. A whale is grander than us enjoy our company, but some people are silly, insistent primates. A whale is probably at the highest level of and pushy and undoubtedly are just simply annoying for intelligence that nature will allow on this planet; free of these creatures. This is why there are laws stopping malice and greed and up there with His Holiness the erratic and pestering humans from hassling cetaceans. Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi. A whale is far too grand a creature to be exposed to The whale has headed along the coast to the next abominable and wicked human behaviours. A shark can location where surfers congregate though no one is be forgiven for being a hunter. A human has FAR less of surfing there because the tide is wrong. It stayed there an excuse. As such we are less than sharks. We are for 20 minutes knowing the ant-like patterns of human priming ourselves for very poor karma. behaviour, waiting and wanting to investigate these crazy but intriguing land-based creatures - us humans - Cetaceans have all the best qualities of humans; which cetaceans probably look at us as wayward child-like qualities that will not be tainted and corrupted children who are too smart for our own good. Cetaceans with our human faults of ego, warfare and self-self-self. are intelligent, not in a human way, but in a Cetacean Cetaceans are a model for good humanity. Cetaceans are way. They actively pursue human interaction as if they worth every effort in protecting. want to talk and hopefully wake us up to the Cetacean way: Peaceful. SAVE THE WHALES

Aontacht • 23 Volume 3, Issue 4

Poem by

Once we roamed as part of nature - connected as like any other animal. We learned to walk and use our thumbs, To farm and stay in one place and multiply With relative safety from most creatures... except ourselves. Today many continue to distance themselves from the Mother that created us. They try to look at Nature as something separate over which humans have dominion. And it gives them authority and an excuse To take as much as they can, while returning very little. More than half of all humans now live in cities. Most don't know the call of the wild or the feel of the deep woods. And yet they recognize, deep in their souls That something is missing. They limit and ban the use of open fires. Yet crave the flame that we have lived close to for millennium. They pollute our air and water. Forgetting we need it every minute of every day. The pendulum is pushed far as this extreme dominates our cultures. But in that very action, a vacuum is created and opposing forces begin to manifest . Already we see that the fear-based prevailing religions have begun to crumble As people yearn to return to a rightful place of unconditional love. Here lies the cause of a new Druidic Dawn. A place of inclusion and celebration Where nationality matters little, And love and caring begins to win back against fear and hate. This dawn glows bright against the prevailing background of darkness, And brings hope and builds faith in the return of the Light Each of us is but a small candle of this light and yet, as we grow So shall the dawn naturally unfold into a new day.

Aontacht • 24 Volume 3, Issue 4

Poem by: Caroline Mulcahy

Mesmerised by the countenance of such ebbing light flowing from your brow, Feeling in such wonderment, the steel might of the will to know how, To spark a light so furious, welling from deep inside bursts forth rays, Exuding such luminosity, etching a connection which lasts all of our days.

Aontacht • 25 Volume 3, Issue 4

Poem by Caroline Mulcahy

Here by the range & the beam cosy bright, For myself as I do as is right to. Sit we daring a word to the heart’s might. By the twisted old oak & the range find, And you send a surge of explicit grace, A love constant glows, in the meadow’s eye. I feel you inside me from as far as Wherever you be. Comes to me, blowing Sit we to drink on the gentleman’s way. A throb of the highest luxury bites, So keen to the detail of the best day. Quivering, soaked I fall at your huge feet. In my blood rising an energy clear, How to be so young, so old, steers to here? Quality evokes the virginal dream. No question, the calmness heralds a storm, With talk of the one place all in one to all. Lay us down in the bluebell meadow love, We’re in a time of our own, sweet blossom, Oh to find the self waking, with my one in eyes Opens through the years. for one who can steer, Of mine feeling the handle turning tight. The way to an explosive plethora, What am I to thinking, burly one to love. Bursting petals cover the meadow soft. Greater than any seen with these set eyes. Bluebells are ringing the way to the yews.

Young as the fresh dew falls on those petals, Casks of oaked steeped well to heavy goblet. Forced by the spring, ready to revel in, & I’ll sit on your lap boyo, hold you, Bounding enticement, animal to brain, & you’ll know me the lady of your heart Comes to here, tickles the senses’ reign, Make you a man as you are so strong. Bred to be real as the pure driven snow From a time past, unmentioned by memory, I feel you, you feel me, I know, you know. From before this life, coming from a dream. There’s a presence on the eye I can love, I’ll love you, hold you close & go with you, So rapture, capture the maiden by dove, As you’ll love me, hold me dear & come all. Fly to the side for one to know the dream, And we’ll travel the world to it’s reaches. Leave with a whisper to let you find me. & then go on & on to the huge light, standing tall. It’s the only way you would know I care, Then you’ll drive your seed in me & I’ll grow, So I let you chase, as a free bear Round with our young heirs to the far ol’ hills. & you may strike me down with your wants too, & we’ll raise them in the green & they’ll know, As your wish is my command, through & through. The ways to be strong as the heather grows. I may be younger than you, older too, & I’ll do anything for you, you ask, As you are older than I, younger too. Of the good, through the snow, we’ll make all love.

You are still bigger than I, know you do, I’m ready for you now, as you’re ready. As I am bigger than you, know me true. You’re so young & such an old soul. So as we stand in eyes, catch the moment, It seems I have something to say of you. So fast, yet all image clear, still here now, Why these hands work for you, you see, Your eyes, sharp to know how to here, You’re so very laid back, can see it’s me. Sent there I did, felt your surge as you thought. All my time feeling you coming for me. To show the world how passion strikes with love, Then you look to me to see if I feel, Physical theatre, physical music. As I look to you to see it was you, To the ears, throw me on the bed, none have done, So we catch for a brief shot the feeling, As you’ll do to me, all is said, to bed! Of the thrust of the deepest, true meaning. And for you I’d love every time purely,

Aontacht • 26 Volume 3, Issue 4

CELTIC SPIRIT JOURNEYS 2011 PROGRAMME

Join author and Archdruid, Mara Freeman, on a magical journey to the Cel tic l ands with a smal l group of l ike- minded peopl e. This year we are offering two tours of the best sacred sites:

ENCHANTED W ALES, LAND OF MYTH AND MAGIC. June 6th - 16th, 2011. A Pilgrimage through Merlin' s own country. http:/ /www .celticspiritjourneys.com/wal es.php

A JOURNEY TO A V ALON. September 1st - 10th, 2011. Stay with Mara at the Chal ice W el l Retreat House in Gl astonbury to enter into the Mysteries of A val on, Stonehenge, Tintagel and more. http:/ /www .celticspiritjourneys.com/aval on.php

Email Cel tic Spirit Journeys at [email protected] or cal l us at (+44) 1239 858 830 worldwide or tol l -free: 1-800-657-1520 from the United States only.

Aontacht • 27 Volume 3, Issue 4 Time of Calling

Napilea Yesterday my sister and I drove around looking for a health food store in this bleak desert town full of He is my father. He is dying, the brain cancer snowbirds. When we found it, it was simply full of spreading throughout his body rapidly. My faith is strong bottled vitamins. I was looking for fresh herbs, for but not enough to save him. My family is Christian, aside healing tinctures. I am setting up a plan for broths and from me. We are bonded , irregardless of our faith. Four ginger drinks to help Dad digest his meals. His nausea is a adult children from all corners of the country, coming regular morning occurrence. The enemy doesn’t sleep together to care for him and say our goodbyes and to and we are simply making him comfortable now. reunite. I spend my days sitting with him as he dozes in There is time for reflection and necessary conversations and out. I rub his feet and meditate on healing energy held back for years. We are all making peace, smoothing and warmth for him. He wakes to talk and watch his bumps and taking care of his estate as we can. He has Fox News Network. He is 75 and a former Marine, faced this with courage and gives us an example of conservative and unbending. My siblings are all bravery we will remember. traditional and conservative. I am the oldest daughter and assuming nursing duties. This Scotch Irish family is When I assume he can’t eat, my sister calls to see if grieving quietly, and keeping our tears back for now. we want take out philly steak sandwiches and he jumps at the chance. He begins telling me not to worry about The heavens are bringing me strength. I walk outside the ketchup, he’ll add it here. I see that he is still here for every night here in Arizona and stare at the stars. I am far us and it is a surprise. from home, far from my island of Maui. It is dusty and beige here compared to my colorful paradise. I miss the Two nights ago we went through photographs ocean waves and the sweet trade breezes through the together. We looked at his old Marine Corp photos and palm trees. It seems that the land is as dried up and laughed at how our dad was a hottie, waterskiing in shriveled as the man I see in the recliner, the remainder Okinawa. We find a picture of our childhood dog, of my father. He has been a strong and hot tempered Harold and Dad stops, crying. He asks us where Harold father. Teaching us our ethics and values with a strong is, is he outside? It is shocking and heartbreaking to hand was his pride. We are descended from a Scottish realize he is back in time. My brother tells him Harold is prizefighter who won his land in a boxing match and in heaven and he says “Oh” and cries more. Irish farmers escaping the famine. We hug him and the photo album is put away. I am There are small miracles occurring which join our sharing a tiny room with my sister, as we did as children. faiths and spirits as we prepare. My sister walks to the I pray to Bridgit silently outside, and bow my head to the driveway and brings back a smooth red rock among the Spirits. I read about more holistic cooking, as I will be sharp gray ones, placing it on dad’s coffee table among the sole caretaker in a few days. his collected thunder eggs and quartz crystals. She looks at me and softly says, “It was so different and beautiful.” The sun will set as it has risen. The goodbyes will Nature is exerting its influence, the Lady speaks. continue.

Aontacht • 28 Volume 3, Issue 4 the

Photo: Hannes Grobe 2006

Recipe Submitted by Gillian Monks

Spicy Blackeye Beans with Mushrooms

½ lb dried blackeye beans, picked over, washed and drained 2 pints water ½ lb fresh mushrooms peeled and cut thickly 6 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp whole cumin seeds 1 inch stick cinnamon 1-2 large onions peeled and chopped 14 oz tomatoes, peeled and chopped or 1x15 oz tin 2 tbsp ground coriander 1 tbsp ground cumin seeds ½ tsp ground tumeric ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 2 tsp salt pepper to taste 3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander or parsley

Bring beans to boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for one hour. Heat oil. Put in cumin seeds and cinnamon stick for 6 seconds. Add garlic and onion. Stir and fry until a little brown at edges. Add mushrooms until wilting. Add tomatoes, ground coriander, tumeric and cayenne. Cook one minute. Cover and let mixture cook in own juices for 10 minutes. Take off heat. Bring beans to boil again. Cover and simmer 20-30 minutes till tender. Add mushrooms, salt, pepper and fresh coriander. Stir and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick before serving with brown rice or quinoa.

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Recipe by Aunt Hannah Croft

Molasses Cookies

1 cup sour cream 5 level teaspoons baking soda 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup shortening, softened 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 eggs 3/4 cup molasses 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 cups flour 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tbsp ginger dash ground cloves, optional

Add soda to sour cream; set aside. Cream sugars with butter and shortening. Beat in eggs and molasses. Add spices, flour, and sour cream, stirring until mixed. Chill for about 1 hour. Roll out on a floured board and cut about 1/4-inch thick with cookie cutter, thinner if you'd like crisper cookies. Sprinkle cookies with a little granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350° for about 8 to 10 minutes. Makes about 5 to 6 dozen 3-inch cookies, depending on thickness.

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Recipe by Deb Lewis

Ban Bannock

This is Grammie Hayden's recipe. She called it Cakebread, Bannock or Scones. It can be made into scones simply by rolling out with a round cookie cutter, or for cakebread, roll it out on a cookie sheet and score the top in a grid pattern to make portions. The old people around Grammie always called it Ban Bannock, though we don't know why. Mum and I always called it Scones or Biscuits.

Bannock/Scones:

4 cups flour 6 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/4 cup sugar (I always taste the dough and end up adding a touch more so it's a bit sweeter.) 2/3 cup cold shortening 2 eggs beaten more than 1 cup of milk

Sift dry ingredients and cut shortening in with a pastry cutter or a fork until the size of peas. Add 1 cup of milk to eggs + add to dry mixture. Add more milk unitil you have a dough just firm enough to handle. Roll to about 1 inch thick and cut with a cutter or knife.. Bake at 450 F for 15 minutes or 400 F for 20 minutes

Aontacht • 31 Volume 3, Issue 4 Daily Practice Practices to ensure a stress free and blessed day Donata Ahern

1) Meditation – about 20 minutes most days. My method eyes, and head with water for the day or night. may vary. Include in your self- blessing gratitude and love for . your body and appreciation for the work of each part. 2) Short meditation – During the day, less than 30 seconds, At the end of your bath or shower, feel your body whenever I have a free moment, such as waiting for the emerging from the water sparkling with energy and computer to boot up or download something, waiting in health. (from a Cherokee ritual) line, etc. If possible, I touch my heart center, or visualize if not possible, and open to the love and light of the universe. b) Washing the hair: The Yoruba people of West As I breathe in and out I let the love and light flow from Africa believe that the hair is a protective shield that my center back to the universe in thankfulness. catches and traps any negative or detrimental energy. You can wash your hair with the intention of 3) Child’s Fire: The Heart Center or Chakra is the place of cleansing it of any negative influence it holds and the Child’s Fire – that is, each of us is our own sacred preparing it to protect you all day. Child, and we must tend the fire at our center. If the fire goes out, we are dead. The fire needs to be tended carefully c) Drying: Briskly towel yourself, and say, "My body is – too much fuel will cause it to blaze out of control, and healthy and strong." too little may let it die down and result in too little energy, or depression and lethargy. The fire needs to be banked at d) As you apply deodorant and after splash cologne, night, and started up again in the morning. say, "May my day be pleasant and sweet." The exercise is to briefly check the fire in the morning. Stand where you can see or visualize the morning sun, and e) If you use talcum powder say, "May my day be feel its rays entering your heart center and enlivening your easy and smooth.” personal child’s fire. You can check in during the day to see if the fire is burning steadily. At bedtime, check in and be f) As you brush your hair, think of it as a shield to sure the fire is carefully banked for the night. Takes 10-30 catch or deflect negative energy. As you brush your seconds each time. hair sense the energy and power flowing through it.

4) The bath or shower as a ritual of purification and g) As you wash your face and brush your teeth, have a renewal: similar intention of purification and protection. Note: This works equally well if you take your shower or bath at the start or the end of the day. h) Whenever you wash your hands during the day, have a similar intention of purification and protection. a) Pour or splash water (1-7 times) over yourself, with the You may also shake your hands briskly to shake off intention of removing all negativity, and purifying the spirit any stress. as well as the body. You may visualize the water as dirty and gray, and as you continue to splash it over yourself, you 5) Body of Light exercise: Bring up energy from the sense that it become clear. This symbolizes inner earth and let it fill your body. Bring down energy from purification and a rebirth for the new day. Say, "I purify my the sky (sun/moon/stars) and let it mingle with the body and spirit. I am reborn and renewed." Finish by earth energy, and fill your body. Let the energy extend blessing your feet, knees, genitals, heart center, hands, lips, from the body to fill the aura in a ovoid shape.

Aontacht • 32 Volume 3, Issue 4

Slightly harden the outside edge of the ovoid like an 8) Blessing my Food: A simple ‘Thank You’ when I eggshell with the intention that any start a meal. I also like to bless my food with Reiki negative/detrimental energy will simply slide off into symbols (any other if you wish) to add to its the earth. The earth uses it like mulch. Don’t waste time healthy energy. thinking about any possible negative/distracting/detrimental energy (as at work). 9) Blessing my Vehicle: I bless my vehicle whenever I go anywhere. It’s made of ingredients 6) Morning Ritual: This is from an Ojibway friend. Take that originally came from the earth so they had a pinch of blessed tobacco (blessed cornmeal or any some level of sentience at some point. I’ve never herb will do) and step outdoors. Hold the tobacco up to had a flat tire or breakdown in an inconvenient Father Sky and say ‘Thank you’. Hold the tobacco down place! to Mother Earth and say ‘Thank you’. Place the tobacco on the ground as an offering. Takes about 1-2 min. 10) Ritual of Elements Blessing: This is a short ritual I do daily. 7) Daily Healing Candle: I light a candle for all who have asked for healing of any kind including spiritual I fill a small bowl with water and add a sprinkle of and financial help. I bless the candle with the intention salt (for earth), and bless both. that as the candle burns, the energy will be released to aid all who wish it. I use Reiki symbols for this, but any personal symbol or just energy running through your hands, will do. It’s important that the person asks for the healing energy. It’s also important not to attempt to determine the outcome for anyone.

Aontacht • 33 Volume 3, Issue 4

Reviews J

used – or even the magical associations behind such; it is in fact a broadly rounded work with much scope, which pays plenty of attention to every possible aspect of wand making: it is much more. Most importantly, it really examines the background reasons and associations – the behind the what.

The book starts off with history and background to the use of wands; however, quickly you are made aware of the origins of the wand (the tree its self) and are presented with a ''becoming the tree'' meditation, which really sets your mind thinking about the depth of what you're doing for the chapters ahead. I was impressed by the depth given to the elemental, astrological and spiritual associations of each tree that are discussed in detail: this allows a good choice of wood to be made and appropriate thought given to it's preparation. The same treatment is given to minerals used also; for wand points, etc. What I wasn't expecting was this attitude extended to, and discussed about metals – I'd not thought of metal in correspondence to ISBN-10: 073872002X wands before, and beyond obvious structural ISBN-13: 978-0738720029 pieces, this information can be applied to really mundane stuff like wire, etc used in the fabrication of the wand.

When asked to review this book, my thoughts Thorough information is given on the art of on the subject of wand making and wandlore the wand – this can be as simple or as were rather mixed; I don't really use magical tools complex as you choose; although as an amateur much, and in truth had never made a wand, save woodworker, it was nice to have topics like for using the natural gifts of the forest (twigs). I polishing and finishing discussed alongside was sceptical that such a subject could merit the carving, etc. 400-odd pages of the book... after all, what's to making a wand? Well... The book closes with a ritual of dedication for your new wand, information on ways to use it This book isn't just a work on the actual and a summing up of final thoughts... mechanics of making a wand and the materials

Aontacht • 34 Volume 3, Issue 4

This book really is a gem and a real eye opener what other classical writers had written about for me! It puts some magic into what can seem them. like a dull subject! This is the first, last, and only The author talks about the appearance, fighting book you need on this subject it is so styles, and history of these•ancient warriors using comprehensive! words that capture the reader’s attention. By•telling the history of the warriors of ancient Due to be published Llewellyn Publications, Gaul, Britain, Ireland,•Celtiberia, and Galatia, he 8th July 2011 Assist Aontact and the magazine effectively gives the whole history of these•realms endorsers by pre ordering your copy via the as it is known to us from the point of view of the warriors and how they warred.• The author reveals, http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2310 on like most books on this topic, the various Druidic Dawn website strengths•and weaknesses of the ancient Gauls – tall, strong, and courageous, but•also superstitious, undisciplined, and prone to heavy drinking and•fighting amongst themselves. I think the best part of the book apart from the written word and the photos is the Appendix. The Appendix lists all the tribes that have shown a Celtic culture and which region they can be found in.• The book is copyrighted to 1999 so as with any history book that is a bit old be sure to check the information with anything current on the same subject (though I think that something that is geared towards only warriors is not available in the same way, if anyone has a book on the subject other than this one please let me know). A very enjoyable book added to my library, by Dáithí Ó•hÓgáin small enough to be read quickly but still valuable enough to be kept as a reference book. 0312205090 978-0312205096

Sometimes•touching and sometimes horrifying, here is the definitive guide to the•history of Celtic wars and their warriors, 170 photos, maps, and charts. Not a large book by any means, including the index it is 128 pages, but an interesting one none the less.• It is very well illustrated with photos, maps and charts and obviously very well researched.• The author does, of course, admit to the limitations that he had to work with, things like no written history by the Celts and most of what we do know comes from archaeology and Image Source Page: "http://www.legendsandchronicles.com/celtic-warriors/"

Aontacht • 35 Volume 3, Issue 4

Lifeforms such as humanity with the oxygen that we need to breath and how divinity is contained not only by trees, but also the stones, the animals, the people and everything else on the Earth and in the Earth, waters, fires and air in the sky.

Then it goes into defining where the term Wicca came from and that it refers to Witches and Spiritual Healers and that Witchcraft is the Old Religion on Earth. I disagree wtih that. I believe that there are Hindu Temples in India that far older than even our Stonehenge, which is agreed with yesterday with the Hinduistic Priest and the Interfaith Symposium that I went to yesterday.

Then Cassandra goes into how Pagans do rituals for the Eight Sabbaths of the Sacred Wheel of Life and goes on to point out that there is no need for everyone to compete to get as much as they can as the Cauldron of Life is a infinite source of power that can provide for all who are not too greedy and On the Night before Imbolc and I decided that karma works where if one creates White to have a Read of the E-Book "A Practical Magic, it comes back to you in the same way Guide to Witchcraft and Magic Spells" by as doing Evil Black Magic does as well. Cassandra Eason that my Paganistic Buddy Cassandra goes onto saying that one should "BillMC" was kind enough to send me last remember the other equally vital law of Winter Solstice. Witchcraft, the Threefold Law. This states that everything you do to others, both good The first chapter is called "The Power of and bad, will be sent back to act on you with White Witchcraft" and the first thing that three times its intensity and strength. caught my attention is the Story of how there is a grave mound in Forest of Then Cassandra points out that the Broceliande in Brittany which is supposed to Origins of Magic happened about 25,000 be where the Lady of the Lake was located Years ago, which is about the last time that and that there is a grave mound that is the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun lined up in conjectured to be the Grave Mound of relation to the Center of the Galaxy, which Merlin the Magician and that some people was discovered by the Mayans and is due to who believe that make pilgrimages there happen again on December 21st 2012. At first, each year. Hundreds visit the site to thank such magic was used to attract game, provide the wizard or to ask for his aid. It then goes crops and enhance fertility using as sorts of on to say that there is some beliefs that the imaginative rituals and ceremonies. Natives of North America practice. Magic is much the same way as European Culture Then Cassandra goes into a multipaged which shows that there must have been Essay of the History of the Burning Times some sort of cultural trade across the about the witch hunts and persecutions. But Atlantic during Neolithic times that has not she recounts how the ways of natural magic been recorded. It then points out how trees

Aontacht • 36 Volume 3, Issue 4 the Book of Shadows. binding magic, personal magic and sympathetic magic. Then Cassandra goes into an autobiography of her own magical life and On page 34, Cassandra goes into the Four experiences and how Midland Canal Water Sacred Quarters and what elements they Witches were descended from the Friesian represent. She then goes how magic should be Seafarers of the Netherlands. She then done in a reverse fashion in the Southern recounts how Gerald Gardner was the Hemisphere in countries such as Australia. She especially points out that in the Southern original Scholar of Modern Witchcraft after Hemisphere, North is then considered to the repeal of the Witchcraft Act in 1951. She represent the Sacred Element of Fire since it then recounts how the cosmologies work in points to the direction of the Equator and regards to karma and the Wiccan Rede of therefore the South is the Sacred Element of "Do As Thou Wilt, Whilst Harming None". Earth.

Then Cassandra recounts the benefits of Cassandra’s Chapter 3 goes into Place being a solitary Pagan or Druid and states Magic and covers various types of space that she is one herself and that one can cleansings. She goes into how to sanctify your initiate themselves and then practice in a altars or Sacred Circles and how to set them small closed group of family and a few up. At one point she points to the Yin Yang friends. She then does a listing of the various with the Yin being female and the Yang tool of magic and how they are used. She being male. I was always under the then goes into how Covens can be organized impression that it is usually the Yin being and that it can be have up to 13 or more male and the Yang being female. I will have members, but from the way she states it, she to look into that to make sure which is hints that it is best to have no more than 13 supposed to be which. She then goes into members. After going over how Covens can various types of Sun, Moon and Planetary work, she does go into that there are some magics. Covens are corrupt and goes into warnings of what to watch out for. It is similar to Then the next chapter is about the various Chapter 10 of Isaac Bonewits's “Essential Gods and Goddesses that are in Wicca, be Guide to Druidism”. they be the Greenman, Horned God, and the Triple Goddesses. Then there is are synopses Cassandra then goes into the types of of various Gods and Goddesses from various spells and rituals you can do and there was Panthenons, especially of Egyptian, Greek, nothing surprising there. It was similar in Roman, and Celtic Mythologies. She does concept to what I found in my copy of miss out going over one of my favorites Raymond Buckland's "Wicca For Life" Book. though, as she does not tell the story of Bast, She does point out that all things used in the Egyptian Goddess of all Feline familiars magic does not have to be of ancient origin. and cats. You can use your computer, lighters, and flashlights to bring magic. Then in the next Chapter 5, she goes into how colours and Candle Magic works and She then goes into various types of magic goes through that colour of Candle Invokes and how to invoke them. How you can do whatever desire. Also in Chapter 5, she goes them alone or with a group for what into how the Zodiac works. purposes you want to put them into. Again, there was no surprises there, though I do Chapter 6 is about how herbs are think she was fairly thorough of what forms important and used in ritual and Healing of magic that can be preformed, be they Magic, which is something I am working on right now. It includes how herbs are used in

Aontacht • 37 Volume 3, Issue 4 satchets, poppets, charms and talismans. Angel assigned to it. This list of Arch Angels Although the herbal property descriptions did that represented the Sacred Elements plus not include any pictures and are not as some more to cover all the Planets such as thorough as I have been posting on my De Cassiel, the archangel of Saturn. Then there is a Materia Medica thread, they were fairly ritual of 7 Arch Angels, which is done for informative none the less. welcoming a new baby or child into a family.

In Chapter 7, Cassandra goes into how herbs Chapter 13 is about the Sabbaths and the are used in oils and incenses. I did find that in seasonal festivals. She just so happens to start those chapters, the various herbs are mentioned over and over again for their various uses in with Imbolc and goes from there and the healing, oils and incense. I considered that doing various rituals that is done for each Sabbath a bit of unnecessary repeating to make the book and what they are for. It is kind of ironic that I a bit longer. just so happen to decide to read this E-Book on Imbolc's Eve and the first ritual that she goes Chapter 8 goes into crystals and how they over in this chapter is Imbolc. are used in protections magic. Cassandra goes into how to cleanse, empower and invoke Chapter 14 goes into how you can create protective magic with crystals and stones. She spells for your own purposes and then lists off then goes into how they are used in amulets 12 of her own as examples. This includes spells and then goes into how Sea Salt is used in for reconciliations, repel psychic attacks, spells magic. for attracting love.

The next chapter is about Healing Magic The book ends with a fairly concise Glossary that is not covered in the chapter about Herbs of Magical Terms and Phrases. and what incantations and rituals can be used. She then goes over how colours are used in magic over again which is similar to what she says in the chapter about Candles and their colour magic.

Chapter 10 is about Ritual Magic. In this chapter, Cassandra goes into in depth descriptions of the magical tools of athames, bells, brooms, cauldrons, chalices, pentacles, and wands. She then once goes into in depth descriptions of the Sacred Quarters and the Sacred Elements, which she introduced in earlier chapters. She goes into which Arch Angels represents with Sacred Quarter and Element. She then describes a ritual for restoring prosperity.

Chapter 11 is about Moon Magic and how the cycles of the Moon affect the powers of magic. She then writes about a Fertility Spell that is done during the waxing Moon and a banishing spell during the waning Moon.

Chapter 12 is about the planets and how they affect astrological readings. Cassandra then goes into how each planet has a different Arch

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Listing your event is free and you can submit up to five entries at a time. Note: We reserve the right to edit or omit entries. To submit, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with ‘DD Event Listing’ in the subject line. Include the date, title of event, location (including country), a short description and any contact details.

Note: Inclusion of events here does not imply endorsement from Druidic Dawn, magazine or its editors.

General on going events for 2011 elser, hvis nødvendigt, vil jeg gå ind og hjælpe med mine clairvoyante evner. Dernæst holder vi en pause, Anam Cara - Weekly Meditation Group hvor vi får noget te og noget godt at spise. Så fortsæt- ter vi med endnu en meditation. 'A Weekly Meditation Group to be held in Oswestry, http://www.sosha.dk/kurser.html (UK) to explore everything from the Breath technique; mantra/ chanting’ to hopefully movement and sha- Pathways manic journeying.'• To participate and for further details, see A named Pathways, in Ellesmere, Shropshire, on the http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/1070 Welsh borders.• The time together will be used to discuss anything that anyone wants to about spiritu- NEW MOON MEDITATIONS every new moon, Den- al pathways.•All are invited, from those who have a mark; ring 004575757131 for next meditation: clear idea about where they are going, to those who are just curious, and all explorers in between. Come We’ll make a circle and connect with the powers of to raise questions, talk about books you are reading, Earth and Sky, I will then play channelled harp workshops you have attended, stuff that is coming music from a time past, and the participants will be up, etc. Self-advertising is allowed/encouraged, if guided into some deep mediation to the Holy Grail relevant to the spiritual pathways subject. Meetings within our hearts. Go beyond time and space to are held on the third Thursday of each month in the previous incidents/ present problems/ diseases. See Function room of the Ellesmere Hotel. Parking is them, solve them, let go. Afterwards we’ll discuss plentiful very nearby. Meet in the bar from 7.30pm; what happened, and I will aid with my clairvoyance. go to the room from 8pm. If you are late, come in To participate and for further details, see anyway! There is no charge, and the drinks are cheap. http://www.sosha.dk/kurserUK.html Ellesmere is part of what is locally known as the NYMÅNEMEDITATIONER I BRYRUP: Ring for Shropshire Lake District.•The energy of the town is tilmelding og nærmere tidspunkt given by the fabulous Mere in the edge of Vi vil danne en cirkel, forbinde os med Himlens og town.•Future meetings might include a walk down to Jordens kræfter og jeg vil spille kanaliseret musik fra the Mere and through the public gardens. This is the en svunden tid på min harpe, under det første num- beginning of something new, and the direction will mer vil mine hjælpere fortælle mig om den første evolve with time. meditation, derefter vil jeg videregive den til cirklen som en guidet meditation, med den forskel, at medi- If you need any more details, you can contact John tationen først påbegyndes når jeg atter begynder at and Rachel on [email protected] spille på min harpe og undervejs vil mine hjælpere Or see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/1698 følge alle deltagerne og støtte dem. Jeg vil spille mens deltagerne rejser til deres destination i den anden virkelighed, derefter vil jeg bede deltagerne vende tilbage samme vej som de kom fra, takke deres hjælp- ere og vende tilbage til cirklen. Her vil hver enkelt deltager have mulighed for at fortælle om sine oplev-

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Events for 2011 participate and for further details, seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/268 or http://www.othergods.org/welcome.html March 27th March: Vernal Equinox Ritual, with the Dancing 19th - 20th March: Walkers Between the World with Lights Grove, ADF, Ontario, Canada. To participate John Matthews and Wil Kinghan. North Moreton, and for further details, see Oxon,UK. To participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/52 or http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/211 or http://www.dancinglightsgrove.ca/calendar http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/index.html 29th March – 8th April: OBOD Beltane Camp, UK. 20th March: Eastre (a.k.a. the Vernal Equinox),Open For further details Public Event with the Sassafras Grove ADF, seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/172 or Pittsburgh, USA. To participate and for further http://druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name= details, seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/96 or PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=146 http://www.sassafrasgrove.org/cgi- bin/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Sass.NextUp April

20th March: Autumn Equinox, with the Grove of the 1st - 11th April: A Free Lecture to the Public; Intro to Southern Stars, New Zealand.To participate and for Celtic Shamanism and Bardic Initiation and much further details, see mor; with Bishop Alistair of the Trinity Grove http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/64 or Edinburugh who will be in Tempe, Arizona, USA!For http://thewoolshed.com more information see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2077 or 20th March: Spring Equinox Ritual with the Three http://trinitygrove.weebly.com/events.html Cranes Grove, Columbus, Ohio, USA.To participate and for further details, see 2nd – 3rd April: The Labyrinth of the Seven Paths, http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or Glastonbury, UK. Two day workshop leads by Graci http://www.threecranes.org/calendars Chacon, for more information seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2271 or 21st March: Ostara (Spring Equinox) Public Ritual http://www.celticpathways.co.uk with the Charnwood Grove, Beacon Hill, Leicestershire, UK. To participate and for further 2nd – 3rd April: The Magic of Three sticks and the details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/174or Second Sight, with RJ Stewart, Santa Cruz, http://www.charnwoodgrove.org/events.html California,USA. To participate and for further details,see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/197 or 26th March: Introduction Day at the Druidschool, http://www.rjstewart.org/calendar.html Ireland.To participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/112or 2nd - 3rd April: Tending the Hearth: House Clearing http://www.druidschool.com/site/1030100/page/3117 Traditions in Celtic Countries with Cait Branigan, 458 North Moreton, Oxon, UK.To participate and for further details, see 26th -27th March: The Inner Mysteries of Avalon http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/211 with RJ Stewart, Santa Rosa, California, USA.To orhttp://www.hallowquest.org.uk/index.html participate and for further details, seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/197 or 14th April: Walking the Dedicant Path: Druidic http://www.rjstewart.org/calendar.html Study, with the Three Cranes Grove ADF, Ohio, USA. To participate and for further details, see 27th March: Spring Ritual Day and Evening with the http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or Grove of the Other Gods ADF, New York, USA. To http://www.threecranes.org/calendars

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14th -20th April: Study and Live at the Druidschool, 1st May: BeltaineRitual, with the Dancing Lights Ireland. To participate and for further details, see Grove, ADF, Ontario, Canada. To participate and http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/112 or for further details, see http://www.druidschool.com/site/1030100/page/3117 http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/52 or 458 http://www.dancinglightsgrove.ca/calendar

14th -17th April: Trillium Spring Gathering, annual 1st May: Beltane Vigil and Dawn inPrinceton, ADF Gathering hosted by the Grove of the Seven Hills, with the Grove of the Other Gods ADF, New ADF, Virginia, USA. To participate and for further York, USA. To participate and for further details, details,see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/268 or http://www.threecranes.org/calendars/ or http://www.othergods.org/welcome.html http://trilliumgatheringadf.org 2nd May: Betaine(a.k.a. May Day),Open Public 30th April: Beltane at the Druidschool, Ireland. To Event with the Sassafras Grove ADF, Pittsburgh, participate and for further details, see USA. To participate and for further details, http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/112 or seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/96 or http://www.druidschool.com/site/1030100/page/3117 http://www.sassafrasgrove.org/cgi- 458 bin/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Sass.NextUp

30th April: Beltane Ritual, Open ritual with the Nervii 5th May: King Arthur: Lord of the Quest: Public Nemeton, Belgium. To participate and for further talk by Caitlin Matthews in Atlanta, USA. For details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/57 or further details see http://nervii.druidcircle.net/index.php?option=com_eve http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/211 ntlist&view=eventlist&Itemid=3 orhttp://www.hallowquest.org.uk/index.html or http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/pdfs/Courses%20fr 30th April: Beltaine Ritual with the Shining Lakes om%20Caitlin%20and%20John%20Matthews.pdf Grove, ADF, Michigan, USA. To participate and for further details, 5th – 8th May: Desert Magic Festival, organisers seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/184 or Sonoran Sunrise Grove, ADF, Tucson, USA. To http://www.shininglakes.org/schedule.html participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or May http://www.threecranes.org/calendars or http://www.ssg-adf.org 1st May: Beltane with the Tuatha de Bridget, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.To participate and for further details, see 6th – 8th May: Calan Mai with the Red Oak Grove http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2118 or ADF, PA, NJ & DE, USA. To participate and for http://druidnetwork.org/en/events/index.html further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/185 or 1st May:Beltaine Ritual, with the Three Cranes Grove http://www.redoakgrove.org/upcoming/index.html ADF, Ohio, USA. To participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or 7th May: Beltane MayFaire, with the Grove of the http://www.threecranes.org/calendars Other Gods ADF, New York, USA. To participate and for further details, 1st May:Beltane Gathering with the Gorsedd of the seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/268 or Bards of Caer Abiri, Avebury, Wiltshire, UK.To http://www.othergods.org/welcome.html participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2118 or http://druidnetwork.org/en/events/index.html

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13th - 18th May:Study and Live at the Druidschool, 18th - 20th June: 'Spirit of the West' Druid Ireland. To participate and for further details, see Gathering at Pigeon Lake, near Edmonton, Alberta, http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/112 or WesternCanada. To participate and for further http://www.druidschool.com/site/1030100/page/3117458 details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/1365 or http://www.druidgathering.ca/ 26th - 30th May: Well Spring Gathering 2011, organisers Stone Creed Grove, ADF, Sheradon, NY, USA. To 19th June:Mid Summer with the Tuatha de Bridget, participate and for further details, see Glasgow, Scotland, UK.To participate and for http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or further details, see http://www.threecranes.org/calendars or http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2118 or http://www.stonecreed.org/wellspring.htm http://druidnetwork.org/en/events/index.html

June 17th - 19th June: Alban Hefinwith the Red Oak Grove ADF, PA, NJ & DE, USA. To participate and 1st – 5th June: 'Dragons, Dryads & Druids', 1st for further details, see international obod camp, Netherlands. To participate http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/185 or and for further details, see http://www.redoakgrove.org/upcoming/index.html http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/172 or http://druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Pag 20th – 21st June: Summer Solstice, Stonehenge, Ed&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=146 or Open Access, Wiltshire UK. To participate and for http://www.obod.nl/dryade/camp further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2118 or 6th – 10th June: Enchanted Wales, Land of Myth and http://druidnetwork.org/en/events/index.html Magic. A Pilgrimage through Merlin's own country with Mara Freeman. For further details see 20th June: Litha (Summer Solstice), Public Ritual http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2269 or with the Charnwood Grove, Beacon Hill, http://www.celticspiritjourneys.com/wales.php Leicestershire, UK. To participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/174or 9th June: Walking the Dedicant Path: Druidic Study with http://www.charnwoodgrove.org/events.html the Three Cranes Grove ADF, Ohio, USA. To participate and for further details, see 21st June: Summer Solstice; the Feast of the http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or Sun,Open Public Event with the Sassafras Grove http://www.threecranes.org/calendars ADF, Pittsburgh, USA. To participate and for further details, 10th – 16th June: Study and Live at the Druidschool, seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/96 or Ireland. To participate and for further details, see http://www.sassafrasgrove.org/cgi- http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/112 or bin/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Sass.NextUp http://www.druidschool.com/site/1030100/page/3117458 23rd - 26th June: Eight Winds Festival, organisers 11th -12th June OBOD members Midsummer Gathering, ADF Druids Northwest, California, USA. To Glastonbury, UK. For further details participate and for further details, see seehttp://www.druidicdawn.org/node/172 or http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or http://druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Pag http://www.threecranes.org/calendars or Ed&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=146 http://adfnorthwest.weebly.com/eight-winds- 2011.html

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24th June:Alban Hefin, Midsummer Gathering with 5th – 11th July: Starwood XXXI, Pomeroy, Ohio, the Gorsedd of Bards Cor Gawr at USA. To participate and for further details, see Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK.To participate and for http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/185 or further details, see http://www.redoakgrove.org/upcoming/index.html http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/2118 or http://druidnetwork.org/en/events/index.html 7-10th July: The Magic of Three Sticks with RJ Stewart at Hawkwood College, Stroud, Glos, UK. 25th June: Summer Solstice Ritual, with the Dancing To participate and for further details, see Lights Grove, ADF, Ontario, Canada. To participate http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/1365 or and for further details, see http://www.philipcarrgomm.druidry.org/events.htm http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/52 or or http://www.rjstewart.org/images/Magic-of-Three- http://www.dancinglightsgrove.ca/calendar Sticks.pdf

26th June: Summer Solstice Rite, with the Three 10th – 16th July: Study and Live at the Druidschool, Cranes Grove ADF, Ohio, USA., at ComFest: To Ireland. To participate and for further details, see participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/112 or http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or http://www.druidschool.com/site/1030100/page/3117 http://www.threecranes.org/calendars 458

Advance Event Notices for 2011 14th July:Walking the Dedicant Path: Druidic Study with the Three Cranes Grove ADF, Ohio, USA. To July participate and for further details, see http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/186 or 5th – 7th July: Discovering the Inner Temples, with http://www.threecranes.org/calendars RJ Stewart at Hawkwood College, Stroud, Glos, UK. To participate and for further details, see 22nd – 24th July: 2nd Celtic Gathering, Ontario http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/1365 or Canada. To participate and for further details, http://www.philipcarrgomm.druidry.org/events.htm http://www.druidicdawn.org/node/1381 or http://www.rjstewart.org/images/Inner-Temples- Hawkwood2001.pdf For additional community events see the Event Calendar on the Druidic Dawn Website

I wish to express my personal thanks to everyone for your thoughts and well-wishes during my convalescence. I would have found the endeavors associated with my recovery difficult to say the least, without the strength and prayers from you on my behalf. My extreme thanks and blessed wishes to you all. -Domhn

Aontacht • 43 DRUIDIC DAWN CALL FOR Volume 3, Issue 4 SUBMISSIONS Aontacht – Summer/Winter Solstice 2011 You do not have to be a member of the Druidic Dawn community An interview with the very gifted musician and teacher extraordinaire, Rafayard will be featured to submit to the newsletter. in our next issue of Aontacht. We also hope you will participate in the Druidic Dawn by being part of the next issue of our magazine - Aontacht. Send us your News, Events, Reviews, Editorials, Articles, Essays, Recipes, Devotional Pieces, Photos and other materials Please submit contributions directly [email protected] to the editorial staff via email to: Want a specific way to participate? We are currently soliciting questions for possible inclusion [email protected] in our upcoming interview with Rafyard. She is the director of a multi faceted learning centre called The House of Creative Learning which she up 7 years ago and where she continues to teach music with other gifted musicians and educators. The idea of the Center was Blessed and witnessed in the druid grove at an assembly where she pledged her service to the community as Refer to the writer’s guidelines, a music teacher and as someone who can help others find their own inspiration and creativity before you submit contributions through music. Rafyard also has a deep connection to the land and the animal world and both or inquiries. Below are our up- raises orphaned animals and runs an alpaca farm. The Druid Essence is the foundation that permeates through everything she does. So send in any questions you might want to ask her. This coming issues in case you'd like is an incredible time to ask your personal question to one of our great teachers of music. We to get ahead on submissions. Be hope to hear from you! sure to specify which issue you are submitting to. i Submit original work only. Essays & articles should be between 1,000-2,000 words (footnotes and bibliography included). There is not a word limit for poetry, how- ever, please do not submit epic verse. Volume 4, Issue 1, ii You may submit multiple pieces. Only electronic submissions are accepted and should be either compressed (.zip/.rar) and attached (preferred for photos & artwork), or pasted into the email body. Document submissions should be in Plain Deadline May 15, 2011 Text (.txt) or Rich Text (.rtf) formats only; Photos/artwork as .jpg or .png. Please cite your sources and clearly mark when using UPG [Unverified Personal Modern Celts and Druids have a special Gnosis] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unverified_Personal_Gnosis relationship with the earth, or its Greek counterpart Gaia, no matter where we iii Articles should be relevant to the Celtic/Druidic communities (refer to Subject are located in the world, albeit the Areas below) and must match the theme of the issue (if the issue is themed). North or Southern Hemisphere. What iv Run a grammar/spell check on your work before submittal. makes your relationship to the earth so v Keep work in a friendly manner. No racism, bigotry, violence or hated. special and what teaching can be drawn from her?

· PreChristian: Discussion of history, anthropology, archeology and more, but also Volume 4, Issue 2 of the current Reconstructionist or Traditional movements happening today. “Magick of Druidism” · Modern Druidry: Discussion of Druidism within the last 300 years; includes Revivalist and Neo-Druid. Deadline August 15, 2011 · Modern Celtic: Talk on surviving beliefs, folklore and superstitions still alive today on the Celtic isles, i.e., Fairy Faith. All Celts and Druids had the ability to · Celtic Christianity: Looks into this truly beautiful and unique branch of Christianity. undertake Magick, be it privately or publicly. How does magick play a part · InterFaith: How people incorporate other cultures into their Celtic/Druidic practice, or in the Modern Celtic and Druid getting along with those of other faiths. practice? What magick does it hold and how is it expressed in your particular practice? Are there specific forms of magick which can be shared? [email protected]

: International copyright law will protect all materials published. However, submitting your work will not guarantee its publication. Also note that as is a free publication, which generates no profit, you will not be paid for your contributions.

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